These votes will determine Hamilton’s next vice mayor, a two-year position awarded to the top vote-getter in every odd-year election year. There are a few dozen provisional ballots still to be counted during the official run of the election later this month.
Credit: Michael D. Pitman
Credit: Michael D. Pitman
Regardless of their finish, Lauer and Smallwood both said the work on the next four years starts now.
“My slogan was constant improvement, not constant change,” said Lauer, a Garfield middle school teacher. “I want to continue on making those improvements and continuing on the path of economic development, revitalizing our neighborhoods and our community.”
Smallwood said she has a growing list of ideas and topics she wants to address with her soon-to-be fellow councilmembers, and one of the first is how to improve communication with citizens.
“I want there to be open communication, I want Hamiltonians to know about the decision-making processes early and not after the fact,” she said. “I think anybody that has worked with me in any capacity, be it professional or through civic engagement knows that I like to get things done. I like to keep things moving. I like to be purposeful and intentional.”
Credit: Michael D. Pitman
Credit: Michael D. Pitman
Councilman Tim Naab, who could not be reached on Election Night, earned the third spot and his fifth consecutive term. He earned 21.3% of the vote.
Naab, an Army combat veteran, previously told the Journal-News he wants to seem some projects through to fruition, including helping bring the new planned hotels at 20 High St. and the corner of High Street and North MLK Boulevard online, and see the Crawford Hoying mixed-use development construction begin.
Candidates Pat Bach and Andrew Conn finished fourth and fifth, respectively, with 19.2% and 12.5% of the vote, respectively.
Hamilton City Council will see at least one new member in 2026 as Lauer and Naab hope to be returned to another four-year term.
Councilman Michael Ryan, a two-time vice mayor, is instead focusing on challenging Butler County Commissioner Cindy Carpenter in the 2026 Republican primary.
Lauer, is seeking a second term, and Tim Naab, is running for a fifth. This is Conn’s second time seeking a council seat and the first time for Smallwood and Bach.
Credit: Michael D. Pitman
Credit: Michael D. Pitman
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